“Final Space”: A Bold Animated Journey That Burned Brightly and Ended Too Soon

When Final Space premiered in 2018, it brought something refreshingly unique to the world of adult animation—an emotional, character-driven sci-fi space opera that balanced laugh-out-loud humor with heartbreaking stakes. Created by Olan Rogers and developed with David Sacks, the series debuted on TBS before transitioning to Adult Swim, and it quickly amassed a passionate fanbase who embraced its quirky charm and deep themes.

A Cosmic Adventure with Heart

Final Space follows Gary Goodspeed, an energetic but not-so-bright astronaut serving a prison sentence aboard a spaceship. His life takes a sharp turn when he meets Mooncake, a small, adorable alien capable of destroying planets. As it turns out, Mooncake is being hunted by the powerful Lord Commander, and Gary soon finds himself at the center of a battle to prevent the opening of the mysterious and deadly Final Space.

Over the course of three seasons, Gary and Mooncake’s ragtag crew—including the loyal AI H.U.E., feline warrior Avocato, his son Little Cato, and fearless pilot Quinn—embark on a wild and emotional ride across the galaxy. The story digs into themes of friendship, redemption, trauma, and sacrifice—all while delivering space battles, time warps, and clever comedy.

Stellar Voice Cast

One of the standout elements of Final Space is its exceptional voice cast: Olan Rogers as Gary Goodspeed and Mooncake, Fred Armisen as KVN, Tom Kenny as H.U.E., Tika Sumpter as Quinn Ergon, David Tennant as Lord Commander, Steven Yeun as Little Cato, Coty Galloway as Avocato & Ashly Burch as Ash Graven. Ron Funches, Keith David, Jane Lynch, and Conan O’Brien (who also served as executive producer) filled out the rest of the eccentric and lovable crew.

Reception and Cancellation

Despite strong storytelling and a loyal fanbase, Final Space struggled behind the scenes. The show faced multiple platform changes, and after WarnerMedia’s merger with Discovery Inc., it was ultimately canceled in 2021 following its third season. To make matters worse, in 2022, the series was removed from streaming platforms as part of a tax write-off. Fans were left heartbroken by the sudden disappearance of such a promising and emotionally rich show.

The Story Continues

To provide fans with a proper ending, Olan Rogers secured a one-time license from Warner Bros. Discovery to conclude the story. He chose to do so in the form of a graphic novel, titled Final Space: The Final Chapter.

The massive project, which is being self-published and funded by Rogers himself, is intended to wrap up the show’s original narrative. It serves as a way to give the series a definitive conclusion and provide closure for its dedicated fanbase. While production is a significant undertaking, Rogers has been providing regular updates on its progress, with a tentative shipping date expected in late 2025.

Final Thoughts

Final Space may not have had the mainstream spotlight of other adult animations, but it was something truly special. It blended epic science fiction with comedy and heart, and its dedication to serialized storytelling gave it depth and emotional weight. With unforgettable characters and a compelling narrative, Final Space deserves to be remembered as one of the most ambitious animated series of its time.

Though the show has ended, its legacy continues through the fans who still celebrate it—and the graphic novel that promises to bring it home.